I see that you are from East Lansing. I’ve been there and think Michigan is beautiful, but there are parts that leave me a little non-plussed. Isn’t that true of just about everywhere? Nebraska is full of friendly people with ready smiles and a helpful attitude. That right there is beauty. A golden field of wheat swaying in the breeze is beyond beautiful and feeds a good portion of the world. Did you see the sandhill cranes on the Platte River? How about Lake McConaughy? Henry Doorley Zoo is about the greatest zoo I’ve ever seen! Have you seen Chimney Rock? Did you raft down the Niobrara River? The Joslyn Art Gallery in Omaha would wow you! How about Smith Falls? What’s more nostalgic than the Main Street of a little town? Did you see the famous “Sea of Red”? Some people think the sculptures on Nebraska’s campus are pretty awesome. How about a Czech parade in Wilber? Did you catch Buffalo Bill’s Scout’s Rest Ranch? Did you have a Runza? Bet you missed the state capitol; it’s pretty awesome. Did you just happen to see bald eagles perched in the trees or buffalo in the rolling hills out there in that “ugly” country? So, why would anyone want to live in Michigan? It’s so cold there a good deal of the time! Oh yes, some of you do find beauty there just like people who choose to live in Nebraska. I guess Nebraska people like it because for the most part it is wholesome and offers a good quality of life. And for an added bonus, they have the most beautiful sunrises and sunsets in the world. . . every day.

Hmmmmmmm Nebraska
I lived there (at first unwillingly) for about 3 years.

Its hot and humid in the summer, and cold and snowy in the winter, and yes, the landscape is largely farmland and rather monotonous vistas through most of the state….((at least if you only stick to the Interstate- note Stingray’s post above—you have to get off I80 once in awhile!))
THAT said, I know that there is a charm to, say parts of Omaha, and that people can find or create beauty anywhere that they want to.
A lot of the people from this busy, hardworking part of the heartland are worth getting to know. There is a pulse of faith and decency and WHOLESOMENESS that is at once refreshing and heartwarming.
Those hot, humid summers produce lush green lawns and golf courses, and bushels of fresh corn and vegetables.
The bitter winters have clear cold blue days that are positively dazzling.

Home is what you make it. Beauty is where you find it.

Not true. The misconception about Nebraska is that the what you can see out your window as you’re driving through on Intestate 80 is actually what the state looks like. Not true!

The interstate wass built along the flattest most boring part of the state (along the Platte River) because that was the easist and cheapest way to build it.

However, if you get away from the highway, you’ll discover a state of diverse and interesting topography.

I love Nebraska. If you get off of the interstate we have many things. In the east and southeast along the Missouri River are the bluffs and Indian Cave state park. There is also Victoria Falls in the northern part of the state. The sandhills and chimney rock are beautiful as well. If all you see is the little bit that is along the interstate you don’t see the true Nebraska.True Nebraska is the small towns, lakes, and hills as well as the peaople that make Nebraska the place that it is.

I’ve lived in Nebraska most of my life. I always ended up coming back if I left. :) You’re right, there’s not much to it, besides some site-seeing, and the cities. Now, I live in Lincoln, and Lincoln IS definitely worth living in. The night life is unbelieveable…it’s like it’s not even Nebraska. :) Anyway…so it’s not bad, as long as you choose a town or city in Nebraska that you can actually stand. :) The sunsets ARE outragiously multi-colored and hard not to look at. :) I hope you decide to come back someday and take a second look…even if it is Lincoln…which you say isn’t bad. :)

Since no one else mentioned it, there is also the Pine Ridge and northern Sioux County.

If you go to northern Sioux County, you can also find Coffee Park, which has a river with small waterfalls and an amazing backdrop of rocky ridges covered in trees in the background.

Also, Sioux County is so sparse, you can drive for 100 miles of dirt road and cross nothing but abondonded homesteads. If you love photography, you can get these amazing two story buildings, all gray and falling apart, with a backdrop of rolling hills of grass, an occassional tree, and a HUGE blue sky. You can stand out there and feel truly recluse, and it’s simply beautiful. I’ve been there so many times because my grandparents have a ranch.

Also, traveling along I-80, you can stop in Lexington for some of the best Mexican food outside of Mexico.